Public And Private Keys - Nortel 2360 Configuration Manual

448 Managing keys and certificates

Public and private keys

Nortel's identity-based networking uses public key cryptography to enforce the privacy of data transmitted over the
network. Using public-private key pairs, users and devices can send encrypted messages that only the intended receiver
can decrypt.
Before exchanging messages, each party in a transaction creates a key pair that includes the public and private keys. The
public key encrypts data and verifies digital signatures, and the corresponding private key decrypts data and generates
digital signatures. Public keys are freely exchanged as part of digital certificates. Private keys are stored securely.
NN47250-500 (320657-F Version 02.01)